~ Inspiring Personalities is a profiling journal that seeks to motivate , elevate , recognise women who have defied odds and excelled in their careers across the globe. It is a diary of Women of inspiration and Mothers of hope

POI– a Trendsetter, a Wordslinger, a Super diarist , an Ardent documentarist , a Mesmerizing literist , an Amazing visual artist , an environmentalist, a traveler , a wanderer .Meeting Tarryn is like meeting God’s wholesome creativity , a gigantic natural wonder , a mystic creative endowment the God of creativity gave us. Her photo -artistry is mind spinning , while the story inside the visual is thought provoking. Jolly’s outpouring passion to nature ,its crawling beings and the wonderment interred in it , is quite mesmerizing.If Tarryn is not a creative angel sent on this mother earth to awaken us from slumber, she is the remaining artistic disciple of this natural mystery called Earth. Meet Tarryn Jolly , a story of stories in stories .-( Mbizo Chirasha POI EDITOR)

It’s funny how we never see it coming, those moments, those moments and choices that change your life forever. These incredible Beings came into our lives – and changed the course of history for our family tree.

Pictures speak a thousand words, and even more – they are moments in time that are captured forever… So no words need be said – Tarryn Jolly

WHEN NAMES CARRY GOLDEN TRAITS

Otherwise known as Tazz. Tazzy. Tarryn. Ta. Tarry. Tee. Jolly.
(Mom’s maiden name is Jolly, so I decided to take it as my own)

‘Tarryn’, valleys, mountains, and meadows. ‘Lee’, rugged rocks.

So this is me – born 1992, 02 December. Sagittarius and year of the monkey!

I have always been an inquisitive explorer out on barefoot adventures!

It has been the oxygen to my blood ever since I was a youngling – from collecting all shapes and sizes of shells and different varieties of rocks, to bringing home snails and often ants in my lunch box (much to my mothers delight!), as I was intrigued with how they built their homes, worked together, and carried loads 10 times heavier than themselves! Nature. Crazy. Beautiful. There was never a dull moment when I had my hands touching the earth.

Getting older, and growing up in the environment I did, with mom and the kids, as well as her baby home, and living on the land with the Zulu community in Oakford, I saw and have always been part of, a completely different life than many others know of or have experienced.

The rough. The raw. The scary. The frail. The poverty. The vulnerable. I have seen death. I have seen growth. The community. The culture. The history. The lands. The unconditional love. The endless service, the selfless service. The spiritual. The religious. The lives that were given second chances. The changes. The transformations. Those in need, those giving, and those receiving. I have seen the broken and weak progress to vessels of strength and purpose. I have seen hundreds of individuals and families sharing their time, laughter, and love, with these abandoned babies. I have seen volunteers from all over the world, come into my home as foreigners, and leaving as South Africans.

I have seen courage. I have seen growth. I have seen perseverance like no other.
I have seen families being bonded through love, and not just blood.

All these synchronistic happenings over my 24 years of existing on planet earth has really opened my heart to real moments of Africa, leading to my current passions and ever unfolding purpose.

CREATIVISM and CONSCIOUSNESS (Siamese Twins)

“We ask, what is it about Africa that unites us?’

GOLD DUST is a short documentary, narrated as a poem by various characters across the diverse landscape of South Africa, portraying their personal stories rooted in the rich heritage of South Africa, which ties us together as a country as well as unites us with the continent as a whole. We are Africa!

As we travel barefoot through South Africa, and eventually Africa, we allow this documentary to unravel itself as we go, using the locals and foreigners captivating love stories and experiences of Africa as our narration.

These interlaced interviews and moments that we string together to form a whole, express the boundless beauty of our extraordinary lands through the visuals of iridescent sunlit skies, evergreen valleys, rugged mountain terrains, the endless stretch of the ocean, and a multitude of other places and spaces. The traditions, the cultures, the musical melodies that beat through the feet of the people, the families and communities, the individuals, the languages, the sounds, the colours, the majestic animals,all intertwining and collaborating together to form the epic poem called, Africa.

We unite to act as catalysts in creating a ripple effect of moving Africa to the space of the heart, and portraying the raw, real, and pure beauty of Mother Africa, through the footprints that have been, will be, and are going to be, imprinted within her forever, and released as Gold Dust.

As a documentary film-maker, Barefoot Traveller, Inquisitive Explorer and Ambitious Adventurer, Travelling Toes orbits around the documenting of my journey, the interesting people I meet, the magical sunrises and landscapes of Africa, and all I create and manifest along the way.

From photography, videography, editing and writing, to my travels, stories, unique moments with fascinating characters of Africa, and my unconditional love for communities and local people, I combine these passions together to create short inspiration videos and stories of all I become a part of, as well as the ways in which I pay it forward to others through giving and creating – with little to no money – proving how simple it is to be a giver and of service to others… “The more you have, the more you need, the less you have, the less you need.”

I am inspired and deeply moved by all Mother Africa has to offer. Her ‘in-your-face’ attractiveness as well as her hidden, rough and raw realities which still shimmers with this majestic beauty, buried beneath the surface of her soil if you dig a little deeper…

Each piece of my travels, of my puzzle, is a fleeting moment in which I am able to capture and share, from her exquisite skies, her rugged mountains and infinite oceans, the evergreen valleys and different textured soils, to her mass diversity of cultures and people, as well as her visitors from other lands who become so deeply intertwined with Her, so much so that they feel they cannot leave.

PASSIONS, TALENTS and PEOPLE.

The amount of love, understanding, and purity that these kids have brought to my life, I doubt anyone could ever comprehend. I didn’t just watch them grow, I helped raise them. I have been a part of their every move, their every step, their scrapes and bruises, their first words, their first swim, their every baseball game or running race, their secrets and their loves, their pain and their understandings of life. From burping and feeding them, to changing diapers and bathing them. From rocking them to sleep in my arms, to spending the weekends looking after them when mum was busy. Being a part of their journey, and them in mine, has been the most phenomenal experience that life has gifted me. And how honored I am.

I am who I am because of my family.

Simon is now in music school and is a radical drummer! Mary and Jake are both captains in various sport disciplines – with amazing leadership qualities. Sadly, with every fairytale story, there are many moments of pain and suffering. Siyabonga will always have a space in our hearts…

To see the journey of how my rather remarkable family came to be, and my humble yet very wonderful pioneer of a mother, Ruth, please watch this 5 minute, award winning documentary that myself, and two mates from varsity created, for a short film competition called Stories Lived, in the category of Personal Passions.

A wanderer. A traveller. An earth lover, animals too, of course.
A spiritual individual who is deeply connected to and moved by our Creator, and all of Creation.
A ‘go-green’, passive, yet highly tenacious individual. An activist.
A rock jumping, ocean dweller, mountain climber, bush diver.
I thrive on being outdoors and being active.
A sunrise seeker and naturalist!
A selfless server of the people along my path – “The purpose of life is a life of purpose”

An artist in photography, videography, editing, and writing, quite candid! Inspiring and motivating people to see our daily joys in the simple elements of life…

“Never forget the importance of living with unbridled exhilaration. Never neglect to see the beauty in all living things. Today, and this very moment, is a gift. Stay focused on your purpose. The Universe will take care of everything else.”

My attitude to life is Sunny Side Up – always look on the bright side of life! Everything happens, as it needs to. Love the balance of life, the easy flowing times as well as the more challenging ones, there are always lessons to be learnt, choose to grow!

Through all my travels, endless wanderings (mostly a lone ranger with my camera), countless homes I have had the pleasure of embracing, and the curiously fascinating characters I have met along the way, as well as hilariously entertaining situations, I have realized my fulfillment in life comes from my filming, travelling to new and different places, being part of the lands, the different sceneries, interacting with people, sharing stories, and recording moments. This is my ultimate Passion that breathes life into my very existence – doing what I love, and through it, allowing me to share it with others – the ecstasy of following your own dreams, and believing in all that you are capable of.

I started dabbling with a camera in high school – I loved how one photo could capture the essence of a moment and unravel an entire story.

Because of my mom and the baby home, we had many international volunteers coming to stay with us over periods of time.

Cindee was one of these volunteers, our crazy Canadian! Also an incredible photographer, she showed me a 3-minute clip of these photos and videos she had compiled together of the kids and our family, with some background music to add that melody and set the mood.

This blew my mind, how you could combine stills, movement, story, and music, to create an expression of the world you see and what you feel.

She was using Mac moviemaker, and let me play around on it for a bit, showing me a thing or two.

I taught myself how to use Final Cut Pro and started messing around with videos and editing. I wasn’t a professional or anything, everything was self taught trial and error, with entry level equipment, but I did it because I loved it – my stuff was mostly about capturing and expressing the essence of different moments. My interest and style has always been documentary vibes, the ‘right now’ moments, not the staged productions.

I went to film school and graduated from AFDA – but my main focus was writing and directing… I didn’t take cinematography or editing, though sometimes I wish I had!

So that’s me, and how all this has come to be!

BEYOND IMAGINATION (Contact with Gods and Goddesses)

I have a connection to our Earth, a love for all people, and a story to tell. Although my style of work is RAW I feel this type of footage adds character to this process of revealing pieces of Africa. The perfection can only lie in the imperfection – as one can’t exist without the other – even in the word of ‘imperfect’ does it state ‘I’m-perfect’.

As I step into each moment with an open heart, a free mind, and one heck of a tenacious attitude – I seek to share my experiences with the people of the world, showcasing the infinite splendour that’s on offer and to stir inspiration within the hearts of people, to move them, to share with them my creations, and to show how simple it is to make a difference, to chase your dreams and to never give up or lose hope.

Through filming, connecting, communicating, living, capturing moments and service within and around communities, I am exhilarated by the change I witness and become part of…

As the traveller of these toes that walk barefoot through life, I embrace and step into the moment. “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

A DIARY OF DOUBT AND HOPE (Phumie/Zake)

It was an ordinary sunny day of adventuring in Durban for me when I arrived home to find our helper and my dear friend, Phumie, in tears.

Her home was one bad gust of wind away from crashing ontop of them in their sleep!

There was this instant moment of connected compassion, understanding, and this surge of faith, when I told her I would help her build her home.

It was as if I had connected to the depths of her emotions, felt all she was feeling, and my spirit just knew – We can do this!

I started by creating a Facebook page for the project.

I then created a rough video edit introducing people to Phumie so they could know who she is and what’s her story.

I needed money for actual bricks, so I decided to create virtual ‘online bricks’ that each person would receive when they donated money towards the bricks.

(R100 per person, per ‘virtual online’ brick. If 100 people take part – we have enough funds to buy the batch of bricks needed)

The photo was so Phumie could see the face of each wonderful soul participating in this project. The inspirational quote was a personal choice of their own – so you lose never hope, and continue to believe in the infinite possibilities that life holds for each of us.

I promoted this daily and shared the status and FB page with every one I knew! Family and friends were very responsive, yet the process was slower than I anticipated.

February. March. April. May. June. July

It started getting tedious after a while, constantly trying to probe and plead with people just to share my status, never mind buy an actual brick.

Not enough people were responding.

I have 1900 friends on FB – and you’re telling me its taken this long – to get 100 people to each buy one brick? To rebuild someone’s home? Really?

I started to lose heart and drive, uncertain if I could do this. I felt annoyed with the world for seeming so disconnected from making a change in someone’s life.

July

It was in this flustering moment of doubt that I received a call from my dear friend, Gonda. “Tarryn. I have a guy with bricks. They are damaged, but strong and usable! Are you interested?”

Finally, a way forward! I accepted with gratitude, and moved into the next phase. The delivery of bricks!

But…

How am I going to transport these bricks?!

Facebook – Friends – HELP!

And of course, help came to the rescue through my beautiful friend, Julian Leighton, who put me in contact with a gentleman who manages a truck business.

An incredible human, whom I have yet to meet, Avinash, completely opened his heart to this project, providing a truck to fetch and deliver the bricks, as well as workers to offload them (myself included!).

I ran into a brick wall – face first.

When I originally asked Phumie what she needed in order to help fix her home, all she said was ‘bricks’. So, bricks are what I arranged.

Some bright spark then asked me

– “Tarryn, who is going to build this house once you deliver the bricks?”

To be honest, I hadn’t even thought of that.
So I asked Phumie…
Her response was priceless and rather light-heartedly humorous.
“The man who delivers the bricks.”

Wham! And that’s when I realized – what on earth have I gotten myself into?

Clearly, this was not viable, and I was in quite the predicament.

I had two choices.

Leave the bricks with Phumie and casually walk away… Knowing that she can’t afford to build her home, and that the bricks will slowly disappear one by one.

Well, mum raised me to never give up, and I’ve never been one to back down once I’ve set my mind to something.

So with no knowledge of building a house, and managing this all alone, I agreed to continue, with love in my heart and faith as my drive. My next step was to find a builder – so I chose a local builder from the community as a way of supporting the locals.

Meet Zakes

I underestimated the challenge of the language barrier between us! But we made it work. (Hand signals, body language, and the combination of broken up English and Zulu) Since the bricks were donated, I used the money we raised to pay Zakes for his labour. All his friends from the community laughed at him, saying how he can’t build a home with broken bricks.

It was even funnier for them because I was the umlungu (white person).
Yet much like myself, he was also turning the seemingly impossible – to possible.
Challenge accepted.

Many of which I had absolutely no clue what they were! (Thank you Google images)

August

Still in need of funds, I kept sharing the journey with people on Facebook, through my photographic documentation and inspirational descriptions of the process.

Thanks to my cousin, Jerri, she sent my link through to East Coast Radio for their ‘Heart Stuff’ section.

I received a phone call from them, wanting to interview Phumie and me, and to have us on air in the morning while everyone is driving to work – how unfathomable the synchronicities are! Everyone knows someone who knows someone who can help.

East Coast enabled us to reach more of the Durban population, sharing our list of needed materials.

Such a blessing, the Independent on Saturday heard our story and drove all the way to Phumie’s home to come and interview us and snap some shots. We were on a roll, and seemingly unstoppable! Special thanks to Tanya Waterworth and Zanele Zulu.

One Brick – The Short Story

I arrived home to find Phumie, a staff member at Sinakekele Children’s home, in despair. After one of our freak storms, her mud hut home took its last beating and was crashing in on her and her two kids, fearing for their life every time the wind blew. I decided to help her buy bricks towards the building, gathering funds through various methods, starting with a Facebook

POI- It is quite vein tickling to discover gems of talent hidden in sacred pockets of this world we naturally call earth.2018 is a year positive transformation , a year of discovery , a year of diversity ,a year of people , a year of defining new paths in creativity ,women voices and arts. A year of arts for social change , a year when creativity and art- activism dismantle human historical retrogression and historical , cultural and gender stereotypes . A great year of great people .

Dear follower POI presents to you International Latin -Jazz maestro and a doyen of arts diplomacy!Wanayran Alvarez Angerer! You are welcome to follow ,like , comment and as well contact us at inspiringpersonalities@gmail.com

This world-renowned Honduran Latin-Jazz performer of Garifuna descent, began singing as a professional performer in 1989. Wanny, as she is affectionately known, sings smoky renditions of classics, like Quizas, Quizas, (Perhaps Perhaps), infused traditional ballads, and Latin-soul. She hails from a prominent Garifuna family who has excelled in the artistic world for their love and commitment to art and culture.Wanny Alvarez To Received Lifetime Achievement Award in April 2017 by Garifuna Music Awards Maestros Caterers

Wanny is born to a science teacher and Lawyer Jose Lino Alvarez Sambula (First president of the Teachers Union of Honduras COPEMH and founder of the Garifuna Cultural Movement in Honduras, today known as the Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of Honduras.) & Justa Xiomara Quioto Lopez de Alvarez, Mathematic Teacher and the first Garifuna teacher in la “Normal de Senyoritas” de Honduras.

Wanny’s brother Emilio Alvarez Quioto is co-founder and plays the bass in the famous Honduran band “Diablos Negros” and performs and tours with Aurelio Martinez. He also released a Garifuna tribute album “RUGUMA” two years ago.

Through her mother’s side, Wanny is related to the famous Garifuna music family of Juan José Laboriel, a gifted guitarist, composer and actor who was one of the first Garifuna recording artists, and his children: world renowned bassist Abraham, Francis – a famous actress, Ella – singer and actress, & Johnny – singer, and grand-children Abraham “Abe” Laboriel Jr., an American session drummer and record producer, songwriter, as well as film composer Mateo Laboriel, to mention only some of them.

Wanny was a participant for OTI Honduras in San Pedro Sula in 1989, and in 1996 was awarded 1st place in the contest”Canto y Musica a la Naturaleza”, organized by the Honduran Forest Administration.

Wanny featured in the 100 stories of eminent personalities published by the AFS Intercultural Exchange program to celebrate their 100th Anniversary in Paris, France in 2015.

“The Annual Music Awards Garifuna not only continue the tradition of recognizing outstanding artists for their career achievements but honor their exemplary contributions to the world of music. It is with great pride that we pay homage to this exceptional world-renowned Jazz performer of Garifuna descent whose nickname rhymes with the Garifuna word “Wani”, which means ours, and it’s so apropos because she is one of ours, said Jose Francisco Avila, Managing Member of Garifuna Afro-Latino Entertainment, LLC.

When she isn’t crooning to international audiences, Wanny is involved in a number of social development and advocacy projects including the use of music and arts as a means of developing self-esteem in children, women and elderly people.

This extraordinary talented woman has lived in Honduras, USA, Austria, Zimbabwe, Colombia, India, and Panama. Since January 2014 she has resided in Nairobi, Kenya with her husband and daughter performing in Festivals, fundraising Galas and development, educational and corporate events around the world. She is the Founder and director of ”Wanny Angerer in Moving Cultures” & “CULTURAL STOPOVERS Kenya” and Founder of “MUA Mujeres en las Artes” in Honduras.

Wanny’s heart has always been with the people. She has spent most of her life as a volunteer in various organizations across the globe, impacting every society she resides in. She believes music and arts, in its purest form, can move individuals and societies to live fulfilling lives and peaceful coexistence. And this is the premise of her founding of the “Women of the World Talk & Act” annual events. She believes in the power of the nurturing spirit of women, and with it fused with art, music and sisterhood. Nothing can stop positive change.

POI-2018 is a year of defining real talent and artistic diversity for POI. We bring you high profile personality of inspiration in the area of creativity and arts. Bina is an International cultural practitioner, a poet of a higher caliber, a mentor, a publisher, a brilliant arts curator and an editor of global repute. POI is highly gratified to feature this prominent mother figure of the global arts community. Readers, young artists, curators and young women voices tap the juices of wisdom and the honey of tenacity from our own artistic honey cob, Bina Sarkar Ellias!

The proverbial “eureka moment” happened rather late in life. While I am a writer-journalist by profession, I’ve had several punctuations, as it were, in my life as a daughter, mother and wife; as a woman. While I was engaged in all of these roles as most women are, I had forgotten my identity as an individual. One day, when the much-required brick fell on my head, I woke up to the realization that my core creative passions were gathering cobwebs in the closet. That was when I gave myself a tangible purpose. Conceptually, Gallerie’s perspective rose out of all the interests I had nurtured in my youth. When I initiated the journal in 1997, I did not have a clue who my readers would be. Today, after 18 years, I realize my readers are “the curious”. They have been reading and collecting Gallerie for the treasures we have unearthed and shared.

In 1984, Bina Sarkar Ellias co-founded the advertising agency “Nucleus”, with Rafeeq Ellias and worked for 12 years as its Creative Director. In 1997, she founded International Gallerie, a bi-annual arts and ideas magazine that she edits, designs and publishes.

In recognition of her efforts she has been awarded a Woman Achiever’s award by FICCI/FLO 2013, Woman Achiever of the year by TimesGroup & ITC, in 2008 and a Fellowship from the Asia Leadership Fellow Program and Japan Foundation for research and development of the project: Unity in Diversity: Envisioning Community Building in Asia and Beyond, Tokyo, in 2007 in recognition of her work in encouraging knowledge, understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity. She has also been recipient of the Prince Claus Awards.

Ellias has been invited to speak at various venues, chaired the New Moves Festival discussion with 10 Asian women artists in Glasgow as well as other fora in London, San Francisco, New York, Tokyo, Teheran, Dacca, Lahore, Karachi, Delhi, Santiniketan, Kolkata and Mumbai.[

She taught herself graphic design and has been invited by artists, galleries, photographers and a poet to design their books and catalogues. To date, she has designed and edited, Fifty Years of Contemporary Indian Art, 1997, for the Mohile Parikh Centre for Visual Arts, Mumbai, 1997 She has designed artist Jehangir Sabavala‘s catalogue for the 2002 show in Mumbai [5], Delhi and New York, artist Rekha Rodwittiya’s catalogue, 2003 and recently in 2007, for shows in New York, Crossing Generations: diverge, the fortieth anniversary catalogue for Gallery Chemould, Mumbai, 2004, and a book on artist Tyeb Mehta, Svaraj by Ramchandra Gandhi. She has designed, edited and published an art book, Chinthala Jagdish:Unmasked, 2004, and The Curious World of Chinthala Jagdish, 2008, a book of poems, Rain, for Indian poet Sudeep Sen, 2005, Ayesha Taleyarkhan’s book of photographs:, Bombay Mumbai, 2005, American photographer, Waswo X. Waswo’s book, India Poems: The Photographs and his recent catalogue, A Studio in Rajasthan, 2008. She has edited and designed photographer, Leena Kejriwal’s book, Calcutta: Repossessing the City. And artist Surendran Nair’s book, Itinerant Mythologies, 2008.

Ellias has curated several art shows: ‘Rain’ at Sakshi Art Gallery, Bombay, commissioning 32 Indian contemporary artists to make works on Rain; ‘Kashmir’ at Tao Art Gallery, Bombay, where artists from Jammu & Kashmir, long-marginalised, were invited to present their works with mainstream Indian artists in an awareness program of Kashmir, its history and conflict; and ‘The Curious World of Chinthala Jagdish, a show of the Hyderabad artist and his whimsical art works. She was invited to curate the online show of international art by Dawn Delikat and launched her curatorial project ‘Tagore Lost and Found’ with 30 Indian artists at Siddhartha Tagore’s Art Bull Gallery in New Delhi, 1 March 2013. She recently curated ‘Migration’ for the Pune Biennale 2017. It included photography, films and poetry mounted in six shipping containers with junk art created by Pune artists in the foreground.

A poet, her chapbook of poems, ‘The Room’ has been published by AarkArts, UK, besides having appeared in various magazines, anthologies and online poetry sites. Her book of poems ‘Fuse’ has been published by Poetry Primero, an imprint of Poetrywall, 2017. poems from it have been translated into Arabic, Urdu, French and Chinese. A Chinese edition of FUSE will be launched at the Formosa Poetry Festival in Tamsui, Taiwan, 2017. FUSE has also been taught at the Towson University in Maryland, USA.

A Journey of Ideas. 1997-2014, International Gallerie

Gallerie’s mission is to foster knowledge and understanding of diverse communities and their socio-political/cultural issues as interpreted through excellence in the arts and the written word. Our work celebrates diversity in all its cultural forms, the visual and performing arts, photography, cinema, essays and poetry. At Gallerie, we believe that culture is a vital thread connecting the world. It is culture that humanizes. We communicate these exigencies to our readers in a sumptuous 13”x10” format, making each issue a feast for the eyes and intellect. At the launch of every issue, we encourage inquiry, and debate, engaging our audience in interactive discussions, besides having readings and performances. The positive feedback from many of our global readers that Gallerie has altered their perception of life, has contributed in strength to our work.

Gallerie, the bi-annual arts and ideas magazine was founded in 1997 in India, by its editor, designer and publisher Bina Sarkar Ellias(galleriemag@gmail.com)

POI- DAWN is an inspiration like her name, her works shine like the rising sun. We wake up to the embrace of the orange like yellow tinge gently quilting the eastern horizon slightly above our African hills and we hear excited songs of early morning birds . We nod our sleep ridden heads as our foul, tired breath resonate with fart of the wind and the jive of infant sun-rays over the hills . DAWN is here, we all run to the village pulpit to beat the drum to invite for another millet beer binge or Mbaqanga concert. It’s Dawn. We are greatly humbled to present DAWN , an artist ,philanthropist , social ,climate , environment activist , writer ,poet ,organizer, originator and singer . Continue to follow our blog journals, contact us at inspiringpersonalities@gmail.com .

My greatest achievements, range from building a green, Eco- conscious self sustainable farm (which I feel is a life achievement) to recording and releasing my first album (The Faraway Sessions part 1), as well as the continued work I am doing with my art (painting, charcoals and tattooing) and decor and art for festivals such as splashy fen. I feel that having the strength to pursue my creative passions, as well as the stamina to continue despite the challenges, is my greatest achievement.

I have worked on projects such as Kwasuka Sukela (which provides a platform for local artist from every field from music to art and poetry), to assisting in developing the organisation called SACCRA (South African Cannabis and Community Regulatory Association) which has been lobbying for the free and fair access to the cannabis plant for all, as well as Izihlahla Ezil’hlaza, which is an initiative that aims to use art, music, photography and poetry to bring attention to social and environmental awareness issues. My next goal is to set up a local art and creativity centre for the youth of Hammarsdale/Mpumalanga area .

I have been working on the content for my second album, which I plan to record soon and release early next year, as well as the development of a local folk and reggae outdoor festival for early next year.

To woman and girls all over the world, we are the creators, the nurtures…we must nurture ourselves and each other and let our light and strength as woman shine through all that we do. We are strong beyond our physical capacity, our light is great beyond measure, and we must never again shrink from this strength and light in order to make others feel less insecure, but rather walk forward, confident of our abilities, leading by example.

You can contact DAWN at the following email contacts,twistedtreeorganics@gmail.com.

POI- Despina Kontaxi B – is undoubtedly a great poetess of Greek origin , she boasts of a profound literary arts resume and a well decorated career in letters ,culture arts and poetry. Doctor of Letters , Translator , Spoken word Artist and Educator, Despina is featured in this Special November POI 2017 blog journal to help inspire several literary arts practioners ,poets , writers and artists dotted around the globe ,as well as reminding them that sheer determination , resilience , effort ,patience and creative potential are undefeatable attributes that bring success to our doorsteps for the betterment of self and our countries.

What is your greatest life, artistic, academic and creative Achievements?
Well, it must be the fact that I never give up when I have a vision or dream. Also the fact that I always try to be a bit better every time I create something, usually poetically. I don’t have one specific in my mind and I think it will be unfair to mention just one or two. So creating is the greatest achievement. To walk on a journey that brings you close to new ideas, cultures and friends is a gift that life gives you.

What roles are you playing in transforming your communities?

I always thought that roles where part of ancient Greek theatre, but since you are asking, inspiring roles I hope. Let us say as a physiotherapist and a poetess. These are my two basic roles. I hope to add a speck of light to what is called Modern Greek poetry by carving a small route on its path. In Greek the word poetry means to mend or to create.

What are your future prospects in your career and your life?
My future prospects to spread arts as much as possible, especially poetry, which is an art that I am really fond of. Artists should co-operate with each other. I believe that this is when the best forms of arts are born. When arts unite miracles can happen.

What is your parting shot to fellow women and girls?

Follow your dreams and don’t give up on them until you achieve them. Also remember that failure is a part of success.

Despina Kontaxis B– a Poetess and Translator was born in Greece on 22 July 1978. She is a recipient of Poeta Crociato Dell’ Unione Mondiale Dei Poeti –Crusader Poet of World Union of Poets (Italy), 1st Book Award by ISGWA for the book “Pravi-100 years of freedom” (Greece), 2nd Award at the 1st International Poetry Competition OLTEPA for the poem “Eros-wine-vineyard”­ (Greece), Mahatma Fule Talent Research Academy with the Mahatma Fule International Award,(Nagpur, India), 3 World Awards at the World Poetry Competition Interartia for the poems “The fall of Trapezounta”, “Cries” and “Heritage”. Book Award by the International Society of Greek Writers and Artists ISGWA for her book “The loneliness of the bedwalker” (Greece) Book Award “Midnight” by the ISGWA for the book “The purple kiss”(Greece). Honorary Distinction by the Panhellenic Union of Writers at the 26th Delphi Poetry Competition. (Greece), Award “Ares” for the poem “You are the light” at the 1st Mediterranean Poetry Competition (Greece) Metal by the UPLI for her contribution to World Brotherhood and Poetry (Greece).

Award by the ISGWA for the total of her poetry work (Greece), 3 World Awards at the World Poetry Competition Interartia for her poems “Echo of tragedy”, “Gloven balloon” and “Man was made” (Greece), “Award-Metal of Benefator” for the District of Kavala, Greece for her contribution in promoting the area where she lives through the Art of Poetry (Greece). Her poems have been selected by: The UN Disarmament Office, her poem “Hibakusha”, was selected for the top 10 in promoting Disarmament through Poetry (Japan), her poem “Sentimental Parade” was included in the Wedding Anthology “A Royal Romance” by Forward Press for William and Kate (UK). She is a recipient of Honorary Doctorate of Letters (UK) and Honorary Doctor of Poetry (Greece).

POI- A PERSONALITY OF INSPIRATION INDEED. Jambiya is a colorful , creative ,literary arts genius ,She has written volumes of nerve wrecking verse , touch ing fiction and non-fiction for social change. She is a word slinger for social , cultural and political change.Jambiya is a strong and powerful personality who is inspiring youthful and elder generations in Africa and across world. Some of her inspiring poems and writings are awash online . Her poetry is published both in MiomboPublishing(Zimbabwe) and the Tuck MAGAZINE(Canada). She is a BRAVE VOICES member and a stauch supporter of the ZIMBABWE WE WANT POETRY CAMPAIGN. Readers kindly send your comments , likes and follow our blogjournal. You can contact us at inspiringpersonalities@gmail.com

What is your greatest life, artistic, academic and creative Achievements?

This is such a difficult question since all the different elements of my life seem to merge somehow –

My greatest life achievement is being mother to 2 indescribably beautiful and adorable sons. While I no longer “mother” them, I still watch over their lives and pray for them without ceasing. This has been and is my greatest honor. This role has been the foundation for loving and caring about every other aspect of life and the lives of people who merge along my path.

What roles are you playing in transforming your communities?

God gave me the opportunity to use my passion to build into the lives of vulnerable and marginalized young people and adults – to transfer my creative and artistic skills to show them their own beauty and callings and be an agent for social and spiritual transformation.

To raise awareness, through arts, (i.e. my writing, poetry, singing and advocacy) of the plight and social position of Burn survivors of our nation and provide creative opportunities for integration with mainstream society.

I use my writing as a vehicle for social change and to combat injustice and mental slavery –

I am the founder of The Campio Burns Group and “Samaritan Woman”.

What are your future prospects in your career and your life?

*To finally publish my anthology and audio book of my most favorite works alongside a music recording project

*To embark upon itinerant performances and readings – that inspire, bring hope and speak out against injustice and oppression/abuse of women and children.

*To establish my own development and finishing society for artists – focusing on life skills and uplifting the disadvantaged and marginalized.

*to be a catalyst of hope; give the hopeless something worth living for.

**to grow my existing organization/group.

What is your parting shot to fellow women and girls?

You Can! You are a weapon of mass destruction.

.

*Jambiya is an emotive South African writer and storyteller who weaves the tragedy and victory of the human experience into a tapestry of memorable imagery and metaphor.

* She writes and performs with honesty on the spiritual and social challenges of our time.

*Jambiya’s works are a feast to those accustomed to the jaded perfunctory cleverness of modern wordsmiths.

*Her works and theatre productions have received noteworthy reviews and acknowledgement from the Western Cape Premier as well as by the Minister of the Western Cape Department of Arts and Culture, Anroux Marais. The review below is for her theatre production called “Earth Moves”.

POI– Samukeliso Chuka is a rising and vibrant star in her own right. She is a promising Poet whose writings are oiled by paradox depicting unequal social and unbalanced political landscapes. POI has decided to feature this young but Creative poet as one of the PEACE MONTH Personality of inspiration. The rising poet needs more of our hand for her exposure. Talents have to be exposed to benefit both the author and the reader .Chuka proves to be well versed with a diverse pack of issues which influence her pen. Despite her tender age Chuka is an inspiration to many girls. You can contact the team at inspiringpersonalities@gmail.com . We welcome comments, likes, views and follows. Happy International PEACE MONTH!

UNDERWEAR

“Tora gidi uzvitonge”,
They told us as they
Handed us bullet- less
Guns,

Preaching justice,
That I wonder,
Whose justice,
Which justice…..
If not juxtaposition of lost souls;
Democracy becoming destruction,
Strategic displacement of value
Now their main priority,

The Blackman in the Whiteman’s
Jacket,
The hypo -critique state,
Metonym of a forgotten struggle…..
Violence their fist possible
Pass for sanity,
Their delusions a pragmatic
mechanism of their madness.

Nihilism their only hope,
A confused nation,
A troubled nation,
Existentialism is their only plea,
Freedom they cry for,
But a whim of toxic air and sjamboks
they receive.
Creating desolation in the name
Of peace is their art.

Now I stand in my beloved country,
Tear jerked…
For I am but a languishing human,
In hostile exile…

Kimberly ss chuka.
@sphynxauditorium….

BETROTHED

Tattered mind, drifting with the wind.
Strange similarity
Hard to decipher.
A tomorrow is,
But an accidental yesterday;

That yesterday;
My betrothal day
Merry not,
Wonder in mother’s cruelty
Betrothing me to death,
Rather than a husband.
To her I was a burden,
A stain to her lavish life.

Her unborn child,
Though life she could give.
On that night;
Oh fateful night,
Quite night all barred out…..
Melancholic cry,
Though savior to my unborn self;

Sentimental paradox.
A mother’s love I knew not,
It transcends simply a charade,
Shouting crises surmounted in
turmoil,
To the twist of my fate.

Alas’
It grapples with truth,
And keeps to shadows,
This pain I can never but show.
For I was damned,
To betrothal.

Kimberly ss chuka.
@ sphynxauditorium.

NOW I SHALL SPEAK

Indeed I shall speak for I
have been quite for too long.
If I don’t break this silence
surely I shall be judged on that
Fateful day……

I will speak of the cruelty
That grips this urcursed
World. Of the jails they have
Filled with innocent people
While they place culprits in
Boardrooms….

I shall speak of the freedom they
Preach but cannot practice.
Of the people they have led to the slaughter in the name of politics.
I will speak of how offices have become bedrooms, of fathers who
find pleasure in the nakedness of their daughters;

Of how politics the leading business
to get you quick, yes I will speak of the war heroes turning in their graves because of the mockery you make of their sacrifice….

Speak I shall of how you go to sleep in parliament, acting like high school kids while the nation suffers in the spite of looking up to you for answers….

Of how power is now transformed through marriage and conjugality,
Yes I will say it out chief commandeering harlot who they make a role model, the harlot that looks down upon the ones do in what she did to gain power, of how you murdered them all for the sake of power;

As I speak I will also cry;
For you cde Josiah Magamba Tongogara,
Baba Joshua Mqabuko Chibwechitedza Nyongolo Nkomo,the torch bearer Solomon Mutsvairo,the henchman Edson Zvobgo……
For I am ashamed to say that the independence you fought for is no more…..

I will indeed speak of the monopoly you practice in our faces, of the voices that glitter with hatred yet we are one people.
Yes I shall speak of the wounds that have marred the academic face of a nation….

Yes I will speak of that death another funeral, a fallen hero but of what cause, Things fall apart, “Achebe”….

I have spoken and I will continue to speak, for my mouth is but a cave filled with defined words of the bitter truth..

Kimberly ss chuka.
@sphynxauditorium….

MELANCOLIQUE

In this dark corner i find my peace.
Away from all your sorrow….
As the deep hatred within me
destroys that little inner peace i had….

As my heart bleeds i wonder why?
Life is this unfair….
The people who are supposed to protect me are the ones who have destroyed me;

Mother going rogue, whilst father befriends the bottle, little brother calling me mother in that childhood innocence…..
Finally they have taken it away
the only pride i had and can never return! My childhood snatched before thine eyes…..becoming a mother to my brother at three,
While rejection loomed above us as our parents drowned in their misery….

Leaning on me to console your own pain,
Forgetting i was but only a child.
Finally i became a child to the wind when you divorced…..
The one you sent
me to became master and i slave, as i struggled to live and forget everything you had imposed on me, voices started forming in my head becoming the only friends i had…..

No one hears my cry neither do they see my worth, i walk in their shadows daily.
The pain seems to increase as i can only dream of studying as i see others my age going to school…
When iam nothing but a house help to my own family;

Your words have marred me, the thrashing stick you made my sibling has left scars i will carry all my life.
Father! Where are you?,
He can but not answer;
Mother i love you….
She can but not respond…little brother i miss you
Oh!i forgot people six
Feet under do not talk to the living……

Now all alone in this world i can but wonder when my own life will end.
For just as i close my eyes,
It all comes back to me, reopening those wounds that can but never heal……

Silibaziso ss chuka
Sphynx auditorium

Silibaziso SK .Chuka is a rising poet, writer and advocate of girl child rights. Her writings are influenced by her daily experiences and her surroundings. Her poetry is mainly paradoxical, depicting unbalanced Zimbabwe social landscapes. The Young poet has passion for Arts journalism and listens to Jazz and Soul Music.

POI- September is the month of PEACE and we all know mothers, sisters and daughters are doyens of peace. POI presents to you a creative and literary arts genius in the person of Grace Tafadzwa Mutandwa- princess of Zimbabwean creativity and literati. Mutandwa is a professional media expert, a mother of substance and a Pen – Slinger of note who enjoys digging through books to attain knowledge. While every day, she chisels her way through the thesauruses and encyclopedias to harvest that type of honey we call WISDOM.

Dear reader meets our personality of the month in this blog journal- Grace Tafadzwa Mutandwa. We invite your comments, your likes and even your suggestions on our journal site and articles; you can also contact us through our email address, inspiringoersonalities@gmail.com

My greatest life achievement was to be able to raise and nurture three children into useful members of society, into adults who are politically aware and who respect and promote human rights. Although I have been widely published I see myself as still growing and my first novel first published under the title; Whose Daughter my Child? (Now on Amazon under Oh Daniel!) Is my pride and joy because it is a creative story that speaks to many women on so many levels.

I returned to freelance work a few years ago. With enough free time on my hands I have been involved with mentoring young female journalists through a US embassy programme. One of the young women is now an editor of a magazine, another was applying for a Chevening Scholarship in our last communication while others are also pursuing other professional and academic opportunities. I wrote my memoirs, The Power and The Glory, through a Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Zimbabwe) journalist in residence programme. Through the memoirs I shared my experiences in a male dominated industry and also explored the country’s political terrain and what we could have done better as journalists of that era. When the opportunity to revive Pen Zimbabwe arose I took on the role of interim Chairperson – it helped me steer programmes directed at young women and the community in general to revive literature and encourage the nurturing of new voices – Feb 2016- August 2017.

I believe in the importance of education. But, as a woman who had to work and raise her children, my formal education took a backseat. I am in the process of applying to universities because now I can focus on my own academic growth. I also believe in learning from life’s experiences and my time raising and educating my children has not been wasted. I have acquired great knowledge from the university of life which has enriched my writing.

We are limited only by the breadth and depth of our dreams. We grow by holding each other up and acknowledging and exploiting our diversity.

Whose Daughter my Child? – a novel on Gender and HIV/AIDS Amerdon Media 2006 (Now published on Amazon under the title; Oh Daniel)

The Power and The Glory – a media book that discusses the permanent realties of journalism – MISA-Zimbabwe 2011

BIO – DATA

–Grace Tafadzwa Mutandwa is a trained journalist with almost three decades of experience in both print and electronic media. Mutandwa is a prolific writer with sound editing and social media skills. The expert has a good command of English, strong strategic communication, and analytical skills. The writer has worked with diplomatic, media, cultural, religious, educational and political entities in Zimbabwe and abroad.

Over the years Tafadzwa has worked first as a junior reporter with the Sunday mail Newspaper in 1984 and later became a senior reporter in 1985 . In 1986 was appointed the Zimbabwe Inter-Africa News Agency (ZIANA) as a senior parliamentary reporter, later on in 1988 she joined the Inter Press Service(IPS) Africa Women Features Service as an Anglophone Coordinator, while in 1990 her star continued to shine as became the journalist/editor for the Ecumenical Documentation and Information Centre monthly Economic and political Newsletter. . She later worked as a Freelance journalist until the late 90s; she also worked as a senior reporter for Chitungwiza Express. Mutandwa worked as a political reporter and lifestyle editor of the Financial Gazette,before joining the Communications sections of the British Embassy in Zimbabwe as the section Deputy Director for almost 10 years . After her retirement from the British Embassy , she expanded her networking by sharing her writing and creativity with the growing writing and creative communities . She had a stint with MISA as a Media -Expert in- residence while also worked with the United States Public Affairs in Harare t training young female journalists in Zimbabwe (Young Female Journalist Mentorship program). Grace Tafadzwa is passionate with the rights and the education of girls and women.

POI– We are greatly humbled to feature a versatile Writer , Health Issues Expert and staunch advocate of social and Gender Justice , Barbara Mhangami – Ruwende. Mhangami-Ruwende is a mesmerizing inspiration to women and girls in Zimbabwe , America and others countries. She has a very tight life schedule as she run a non- government research project , write stories , organize speeches and articles for gender justice conferences . This Creative Titan also works as a Writer in Residence , While in she has graced several Writing , Creative and Arts Spaces that include Writers Festivals ,International Book Fairs , Art Symposiums and Cultural gatherings. We are greatly humble again to feature this bundle of talent in our fast growing , humble and inspiring- Long Live Mhangami-Ruwende!

To all our readers , writers , creative talents , women of resilience and mothers of hope. You can contact us at inspiringpersonalities@gmail.com .Do not hesitate to follow , to comment and like our articles.

What is your greatest life, artistic, academic and creative

Achievements?

My greatest life achievement is having and raising four beautiful, socially conscious, activist, grounded, inquisitive, creative and overall loving and loveable daughters. My greatest artistic/creative achievement is writing and completing a novel with the title: ‘I did not ask to be born’. My greatest academic achievement is the PhD in epidemiology, where I conducted research in a topic I am passionate about.

What roles are you playing in transforming your communities?

I have always been a community-oriented person. I attribute it to my upbringing, which was partially rural. I learned very early in life that there was nothing more rewarding than when we all do well. In every community I have lived in, I have tried to contribute something positive. For example, my PhD is looking on Knowledge and attitudes towards HIV in the West African immigrant women in the Detroit Metro area. The long- term view is to create evidence-based intervention programmes, in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Community Health, tailored towards this community that is on the margins here in the United States, Many do not speak or write English so the programmes would be in French, Wollof, and Madinka. I also consult with lawyers, doctors, teachers, social workers on matters pertaining to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Michigan. This is an issue most Americans know nothing but there are more cases of FGM being reported.

I am also an activist against gender-based violence, homophobia, racism and all things that pertain to social justice issues. I take part in protests and marches to protect women’s reproductive health rights, and I am part of the struggle for a basic human right: Healthcare.

What are your future prospects in your career and your life?

I look forward to continuing the work that I am doing in public health and I also look forward to writing more. As my girls get older, I will hopefully have more time to devote to my creative projects.

What is your parting shot to fellow women and girls?

Be true to who you are in all areas of your life. This is not easy given the fact that we live in a world that often treats difference as a negative thing. Fight for the space to be totally you. It is your right and no one has the right to dictate to you how you ought to be. You have the right to express your sexuality, your political and cultural views without harassment or fear of retribution. Discover the things that give you joy and embrace them. It is your birthright to be joyful. Help your sisters on the life long journey of self- discovery. Share opportunities, knowledge and laughter and where you find yourself in a leadership position, lead from feminine leadership principles. This way we can create a better world than the one we currently live in. Be kind to oneself and to one another, it makes the most arduous journey lighter.

Barbara Mhangami –Ruwende is a scholar practitioner in public health with a focus on minority women’s sexual and reproductive health.Mhangami-Ruwende is the Founder/ Director of the Africa Research Foundation for the Safety of Women. She is originally from Zimbabwe. She holds degrees from University of Glasgow, Scotland, Walden University and attended the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She writes opinion editorials on the status of women with a focus on Africa. She consults on policy and has written policy briefs with recommendations on ending violence against women. She has been on panel discussions around the issue of FGM and looking at novel ways to end the harmful cultural practice.

Barbara is a vocal activist and advocate on issues to do with gender-based violence, economic justice for women and gender parity in government institutions. She is a writer published in the short story anthology Where to Now by AmaBooks Publishers, Zimbabwe, on Storytime online literary journal, on Her Zimbabwe feminist website, in the anthology of short stories, Still by Negative Press, London, in the Journal of African Writing, 2014, in the annual short story Anthology, African Roar, 2013 the Caine Prize Anthology 2014, the Gonjon Pin and Other Storiesby New Internationalist. She is also published in Guernica Magazine 2016, USA and in Maple Tree Literary Supplement, 2017, Canada. Her poetry has been published in the anthology Muse for Women, 2013 and African Drum by Diaspora Publishers, 2013. She was a 2014 Hedgebrook Writer in Residence and Caine Prize for African Writing workshop attendee. She is a mentor with the Writivism program at the center for African excellence (CACE) Foundation and a member of Rotary International.

This is a surprise blog -post to both our readers and the featured Icon herself. Sometimes we feature any personality of outstanding traits as a way of inspiring the growing generation of young women and writers at large with the aim of validating the importance of resilience , hard work and dedication to the creative enterprise service. The featured personality is a clear example of above mentioned revered human traits.

Literary Arts Specialist , Writer , Content Developer , Researcher and Freelance strategist Jane Nineham is one humble but living Literary Doyen who spent many years writing , teaching , organizing , leading and producing high quality educational books , research papers , interventions and articles and around the globe . The inspiring writer has worked with a number of organisations that include UNICEF , Women Writers Association in Zimbabwe , SAFAIDS ,BUDDING WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF ZIMBABWE among others. She has extensively worked as an Editor , Compiler , Writer and Board Member . Jane is an outstanding Creative Writing Guru with a practical and proven track record. The Writer contributed immensely to the Education of young Zimbabweans in primary grades. She is widely known of her numerous projects that include the following among others,

Blood on the Page: Interviews with African Authors writing about HIV/AIDS- a Collection with Jane Nineham and other WritersGrade Five – Teacher’s Resource Book, Jane Nineham

Ventures English Alive Book 1 to Book 7

Focus on English Student’s Book 1-5 by Jane Nineham

The Place of Tears: The Novel and Politics in Modern Zimbabwe– Jane Nineham and other Writers

Blood on the Page: Interviews with African Authors writing about HIV/AIDS- a Collection with Jane Nineham and other Writers.

We also invite readers , writers , poets and all to reach us through our Email contact inspiringpersonalities@gmail.com. Follow and comment on our blog-site, Visit our Facebook group –InspiringPersonalities.

Compiled and Edited by Mbizo Chirasha-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbizo_Chirasha. Founder and Creative Director of the GirlChildCreativityProject- girlchildcreativity.blogspot.com.Advisory Council Member of the Shungu Namutitima Film Festival in Zambia, Country Manager of the 100 Thousand Poets for Change -global. WordPress Publisher/Blogger-https://amanziglobalwaterjournal.wordpress.com/, Poet , Communicatorhttps://www.facebook.com/mbizo.chirasha-/, Writer and Social Justice Activist.

POI- It is quite vein tickling to discover gems of talent hidden in sacred pockets of this world we naturally call earth.2018 is a year positive transformation , a year of discovery , a year of diversity ,a year of people , a year of defining new paths in creativity ,women voices and arts. […]

POI- 2018 is a year of new things ,new ideas , new empowerment and just greatness and newness. Meeting Hildah Tafadzwa Princess Maritinyu is a great inspiration and a life time training . The Princess is a bundle of talents- She is a creative and a social entrepreneur, a poet , writer ,counselor and […]

POI-2018 is a year of defining real talent and artistic diversity for POI. We bring you high profile personality of inspiration in the area of creativity and arts. Bina is an International cultural practitioner, a poet of a higher caliber, a mentor, a publisher, a brilliant arts curator and an editor of global repute. […]

POI- DAWN is an inspiration like her name, her works shine like the rising sun. We wake up to the embrace of the orange like yellow tinge gently quilting the eastern horizon slightly above our African hills and we hear excited songs of early morning birds . We nod our sleep ridden heads as our […]

POI- Despina Kontaxi B – is undoubtedly a great poetess of Greek origin , she boasts of a profound literary arts resume and a well decorated career in letters ,culture arts and poetry. Doctor of Letters , Translator , Spoken word Artist and Educator, Despina is featured in this Special November POI 2017 blog journal […]

POI- A PERSONALITY OF INSPIRATION INDEED. Jambiya is a colorful , creative ,literary arts genius ,She has written volumes of nerve wrecking verse , touch ing fiction and non-fiction for social change. She is a word slinger for social , cultural and political change.Jambiya is a strong and powerful personality who is inspiring […]

POI– Samukeliso Chuka is a rising and vibrant star in her own right. She is a promising Poet whose writings are oiled by paradox depicting unequal social and unbalanced political landscapes. POI has decided to feature this young but Creative poet as one of the PEACE MONTH Personality of inspiration. The rising poet needs more […]

POI- September is the month of PEACE and we all know mothers, sisters and daughters are doyens of peace. POI presents to you a creative and literary arts genius in the person of Grace Tafadzwa Mutandwa- princess of Zimbabwean creativity and literati. Mutandwa is a professional media expert, a mother of substance and a Pen […]

POI– We are greatly humbled to feature a versatile Writer , Health Issues Expert and staunch advocate of social and Gender Justice , Barbara Mhangami – Ruwende. Mhangami-Ruwende is a mesmerizing inspiration to women and girls in Zimbabwe , America and others countries. She has a very tight life schedule as she run […]